Alpha Phi Omega was founded on December 16, 1925 at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, by Frank Reed Horton [Pictured to the left] and 13 other students who were former Boy Scouts and scouters, as a way to continue participating in the ideals of Scouting at the college level. Six advisors were also inducted: President John H. MacCracken, Dean Donald B. Prentice, Professors D. Arthur Hatch and Harry T. Spengler; one local Scouting official, Herbert G. Horton, and one national Scouting official, the national director of relationships for the Boy Scouts of America, Ray O. Wyland. The founders insisted that all those gaining membership must pledge to uphold the fraternity's three cardinal principles of Leadership, Friendship, and Service.

Alpha Phi Omega became a national fraternity on January 11, 1927 with the founding of Beta chapter at University of Pittsburgh. Horton served as Supreme Grand Master from the founding of the fraternity until the 1931 convention. A total of 18 chapters were founded during this period. At the 1931 convention, H. Roe Bartle was elected as Supreme Grand Master (title changed to National President in 1934) and served through World War II, stepping down at the 1946 convention. During his time as president, the number of chapters grew to 109. Early in his term (October 1931), Alpha Phi Omega was formally recognized by the Boy Scouts of America

The Iota Mu Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega was chartered at the University of South Carolina on January 19, 1951. Since then, Iota Mu has been a very active chapter, providing the campus, community, and brotherhood a solid foundation of service. The success of our service programs is dependent upon our individual members, who strive to uphold the fraternity’s cardinal principles of leadership, friendship, and service.

In the early days of the Fraternity, our founders chose recognizable objects that would be representative symbols of the spirit of our Cardinal Principles of Leadership, Friendship and Service. They selected items of historical and traditional value and notability. The meaning and definitions of these symbols have not changed in our lifetimes, and likely will never change.

Jewel: Diamond The most precious of all gemstones representing brilliance, luster, always increasing in value, and an expression of the greatest gift of love when given.

Flower: Forget-Me-Not A perennial flower with royal blue blossoms. It is everlasting, always remembered.

Bird: Golden Eagle The 1976 National Convention declared the golden eagle as a new Fraternity symbol. The golden eagle symbolizes strength, gracefulness, keenness of vision, and endurance.

Tree: Oak Tree We have all heard from a parent or mentor at least once in our lives the story of the sturdy oak tree that grew from a small acorn. The oak is stately, sturdy, and sheltering.

Color: Blue Our color of blue is a royal blue color. It is elegant, a sign of pure deed and thought. A color in our Nation’s flag.

Color: Gold Our color of gold is called “old glory” gold. A color also found in the Nation’s flag (fringe and tassels). It represents high value, respect, royalty, and a sign of love.